Archives Casa Festiva

Recent Finds (previous mentions are archived below) ...

Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill -- This "AWARD WINNING semi-ripened, double-cream cow's milk cheese" can hold its own with any Brie-esque cheese!

GELFAND VINEYARDS Syrah -- Yummy! Enough said!

Big Basin Vineyards 2004 Mandala Syrah -- great combo of spice and fruit ... baby back ribs with a peppery dry rub?

Castoro Cellars 2006 Oakenshield Primitivo -- a classic food-friendly Zinfandel with just enought fruit to be lively without competing with menu flavors.

Victor Hugo 2006 Zinfandel -- again, a classic food-friendly wine that matches well with big dishes such as hearty tomato sauces or grilled meat.
Victor Hugo 2006 Viognier -- less floral than some Viogniers out there, but that makes it a great match with everything from Asian food to carmelized onion tarts.

Fratelli Perata 1993 Merlot -- aaaahhhhhhh.
Still great fruit on this library wine, a classic Merlot with just enough tannins to remind you why this varietal deserves more respect.

(04/08)

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August Ridge is a new winery specializing in CalItal blends and varietals -- great fruit but very food friendly. Look for their new bottlings of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and an Arneis Sauv Blanc blend in late paril or early May.

2004 J. Paul Rosilez Herder Vineyard Viognier: You'd be hard pressed to realize this aromatic wine is 16.8 alcohol! Enjoy as an apertif due to its floral notes.

(03/08)
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2005 Cass Estate Grown Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon: delicious black cherry, hint of spice, dark plum and even some plum jam on this very balanced blend of 80% Cab, 10% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc, which I decanted for about 1 hour. Lasting finish and soft but sturdy tannins make this a good match for steak or robust blue cheese.

1998 Fratelli Perata Estate Bottled Paso Robles Zinfandel: this beautiful 10-year library wine showed classic zin profiles (as in not a fruit bomb but a fantastic food wine), with briar on the nose and taste, as well as dried dark fruit, and a peppery, almost anise essence.

2000 Robert Mondavi Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: dark fruit, a great tannic structure, and a pleasantly tart finish make this a perfect steak wine.

2004 Silver Stone Zinfandel Paso Robles: dark plum and bright cherry, briary hint on tannins, a bit fruit forward but very well balanced, a good food wine even at 16.8 alcohol, which offers just a hinti of heat on the finish.

2006 Castoro Cellars Reserve Roussanne: a delicately finessed wine with some pear, apple, and nice floral hints.

2006 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Fume Blanc: one of the classics, full fruit but well-balanced with crispness and a bit of spice.

And, among the great finds at the Fancy Food Show ...
Modmix organic mixers
Fizzy Lizzy sodas
and Organic Valley butter!

(02/08)

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2002 Pipestone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon: a richly textured interpretation that was a fabulous match with New Year's Eve cheese fondue!

2005 Garretson "Late Bottled" Viognier: not a late harvest as the name might suggest, just long barrel aging to let this voluptuous wine develop.

1997 Justin Isosceles: still amazing fruit on this award-winning wine; a great match with New Year's Day prime rib.
Evidently 2008 is starting out well because some dear friends uncorked a 1995 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon just a few days later! The Cab also still had nice fruit, but was starting to mellow into a more stately, elegant wine.

(01/08)

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2005 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel: a bright surprise, with lean tannins, light spice, and black berry; good food wine.
2006 Rodney Strong Chardonnay: rich pineapple and vanilla, smmoth and balanced with very nice acidity.

1999 Pipestone Vineyards Syrah: rich velvety wine, still a great amount of dark fruit and sturdy, but not overwhelming tannins.

2005 Christian Lazo Paso Robles Zinfandel: jammy, almost blueberry compote, but enough acid and spicy finish to balance and add complexity.

2005 Villicana Webster Vineyard Pinot Noir: wonderful smoky notes and smooth texture.
2006 Villicana Viognier: Only 150 cases produced and already sold out, but understandably! another benchmark Viognier from this label.

(12/07)

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2005 Castoro Cellars Cobble Creek Zinfandel: dry with subtle, dark, brooding fruit; spicy with good tannins; a good food Zin.
2005 Castoro Cellars Zinfusion Reserve: with this name, you might expect a big fruit bomb, but this is a great food wine with lean blackberry and tannins.
2004 Castoro Estate Petit Verdot Stone's Throw: Nothing petit about this petit; bold structure with nice tannins on finish, notes of cassis, blackberry, and a touch of exotic spice; a suprsingly good match with a simple late summer meal of heirloom tomatoes with grassy olive oil and crusty bread.

2005 Taz Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir: a bit more fruit-forward than some Pinots, making it a nice lush wine with good fruit and gentle tannins.

2000 Dover Canyon Paso Robles Syrah: wonderful balance of tart dark berries and soft but sturdy tannins, also a small hint of fresh nutmeg, dry and food friendly.

Watch for good things from fledgling 5 Mile Bridge Wines! Sourcing most of their fruit from the sustainably farmed Santa Margarita vineyard, the initial offerings of Syrah and Zin were impressive. The '05 Syrah had GREAT color, plummy with good tannins. The '05 Zin was leaner than most North County wines due to the cooler influence of Santa Margarita, so this wine showed elegant blueberry notes with a bit of exotic spice; a great food wine.

Penman Springs Merlot: always a reliable wine from this label, typically with gentle tannins, soft mouthfeel, and bright cherry-like fruit.

2006 Sanford Sauvignon Blanc: Limited release, primarily available at the (newly opened Old California style) tasting room; good bright citrus with good acid and smooth balance; not a citrus blast like some SBs, but a very nice food wine, especially with sushi.

2006 Tangent Pinot Gris Paragon: Another good alternative white wine from this label -- great Edna Valley profiles of mineral and pear, a versatile dry white good on its own or with light cheeses.

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Some other great San Francisco finds were ...
FINO Restaurant at the Andrews Hotel: Though it's funky "Old World" charm isn't for everyone, I've stayed at the Andrews many times, but for some reason never went to the Italian restaurant downstairs except for wine. I've been missing out! Great food at very reasonable city prices.
Colibri Mexican Bistro: Just a couple blocks from the Andrews in the theater district, great authentic Mexican and great Pisco sours!
Le Colonial: Right behind the Andrews, serving Vietnamese dishes made with local ingredients, and a great ambience.
Rose's Cafe: We stumbled upon this yummy place on Union Street in Cow Hollow and had a hearty breakfast pizza, but they also offer items like French toast, Niman bacon, and homemade bread.